Update: Autopsy results released for man killed in standoff

An hours-long standoff at a West Manheim Township home ended Monday night when members of a SWAT-type unit forced their way inside and found the resident dead, police said.
(Submitted)

Update: An autopsy showed Brian Anthony Costley died of a gunshot wound to his torso.

The investigation continues and the manner of death has not been determined.

Earlier story:

Police have identified the 53-year-old West Manheim Township man found dead inside his home following an hours-long standoff Monday.

The York County Coroner's office said an autopsy was set for 8 a.m. Tuesday on Brian Anthony Costley, 53, of 2665 Baltimore Pike.

The autopsy will determine the cause and manner of Costley's death, the coroner's office said.

No officers were hurt during the standoff.

According to state police, West Manheim Township police officers went to Costley's home, which is just a few miles south of Hanover, about 12:50 p.

An armored vehicle was summoned to a West Manheim Twp. home Monday after a man wanted in Maryland fired at officers and ran inside the home, police said.
(Bill Kalina)

m. to serve a warrant on Costley.

He was wanted in Carroll County, Md., on an outstanding warrant in his pending DUI case, police said.

Costley was outside when officers first made contact with him, but he started walking toward his home, state police said.

Despite being ordered to stop, Costley went inside, then turned around and opened fire on the officers with a handgun, police said.

One officer returned fire while retreating to a safe position, according to police.

Barricaded: Costley barricaded himself inside his home and the York County Quick Response Team, a SWAT-type unit, was called in, state police said. A second SWAT-style unit from Lancaster County also responded.

When QRT members eventually forced their way into Costley's home hours later, they found him dead inside, police said.

Police began to clear the scene a little after 7 p.m. That portion of Baltimore Pike had been closed to traffic during the standoff, but reopened about 8 p.m.

State police said York County District Attorney Tom Kearney asked them to investigated the circumstances of Costley's death "and the use of lethal force by the West Manheim Police Department," according to a news release issued Tuesday morning.

After the investigation is complete, Kearney will review the findings, police said.

The township officers involved in the initial confrontation have been placed on administrative leave, according to state police. In York County, that is standard procedure in police-related shootings.

Formerly of Westminster, Md., Costley has a lengthy criminal history in that state, according to court records.

After the standoff, a number of dogs were removed from the house, put into cages and loaded into an SUV.

Heard gunfire: Brandan Mitten, who lives next door to Costley, was at home when the standoff started and was stuck inside until it ended.

He said he heard two shots in the early afternoon and looked out a window to see police at the house.

The 17-year-old Mitten said he heard police using a loudspeaker in an attempt to contact Costley, but he didn't respond.

Mitten said he moved into his house a few months ago and spoke to Costley only a few times.

As the standoff dragged on, Mitten's mother, Karrieann Galbreath, went to the West Manheim Township municipal building about 5 p.m., where members of the media were waiting, hoping for answers about what was going on.

Galbreath said she told her son to stay away from the windows and turn off the lights. But as the hours wore on, she grew increasingly concerned.

"I've already cried and tried to have somebody go and get him," she said.

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